Breeze on the Met Line: Hillingdon 12-24 miles (depending on ability of riders)

We will meet outside Hillingdon Underground station UB10 9NR for introductions and brief bike check.
You can take your bike anywhere on the Metropolitan Line (and also on many other tube lines) on weekends and also Mon-Fri apart from peak hours (7:30-9:30 and 16:00- 19:00). Folded bikes can be taken on any train at any time
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycling-in-london/bikes-on-public-transport
The car park directly underneath the station is £7 per day, or free parking further away from the tube station e.g. Merton Avenue UB10 9BN.

It is amazing how many delightful quiet country lanes are so close once we get out of the suburbs. We will cycle through Uxbridge to Denham, up Old Rectory Lane past Old Denham Station, gently uphill along Slade Oak Lane for a mile or so, then it will be flattish. We can stop after 10 miles at the Muddy Boots Café, Rowan Garden Centre, or if people still have energy for a couple more hills we can go on to tea in Little Chalfont (12 miles). Chalfont and Latimer station is also on the Metropolitan Line so can be a backup way of getting back to the start if people are too tired to carry on. Otherwise we will cycle back to Hillingdon (passing Uxbridge station).

I will stick to roads so it will be suitable for road bikes and hybrids. There won’t be any “killer” hills, but it will be undulating. We will aim for 5 mph up hill and 14 mph on the flat. But we will ride at the pace of the slowest rider and always wait so that no one is left behind. If you walk a hill or want to stop, that's ok, we will always wait for you.

Please ensure your bike is road worthy, with tyres pumped up. Bring money, oyster / contactless card for emergencies, water, snacks (e.g. banana, cereal bar), appropriate clothing for the weather (sun cream or waterproof?) and a lightweight bike lock (to use as a deterrent while at café) (remember that everything feels much heavier when you are cycling uphill!). Also tyre levers and 2 spare inner tubes in case of punctures - even if you don’t know how to change them, someone in the group will. I would prefer that you wear a helmet for your own safety. As we will be riding on the road consider adding flashing lights to your bike and wearing high visibility clothing to assist other road users to see you.

The ride is weather dependent and if I think it could affect our safety and dampen our enjoyment, I will cancel. I am putting this ride on as a couple of riders need practice for some challenges coming up. I am keeping the number of riders small so we can all easily stay together while riding. If you need to cancel please do so in good time to give others a chance to sign up.